Port grad likes UW

For those wondering what Division 1 college football players talk about before each play, Wisconsin Badger Tyler Beach has the answer.

“We’re sitting in the huddle making jokes,” he said.

Not all the time, of course. The Badgers last week were also getting play calls they executed well in flattening Central Michigan, 61-0.

This team’s jovial tone is indicative of  its camaraderie.

“Our whole team is, like, really, really close. I’ve never felt that on a team as much as now,” Beach said.

Beach, a 2017 Port Washington High School graduate, backs up both offensive tackles and blocks on the left side on extra points and field goals.

He enjoys blocking for Heisman Trophy hopeful Jonathan Taylor.

“You think you have an amazing block because you’ll see him fly past you. In reality it’s a mediocre block. He’s just such a good runner,” he said.

Beach lives in an apartment in Madison near Camp Randall Stadium with a few other players, including Michael Balistreri, a sophomore defensive end from Grafton who graduated from University School of Milwaukee.

“It’s funny because I never knew Mike before I got here and now we’re pretty good friends,” Beach said.

The Badgers have a bye this week, which means they practice a few times and get the weekend off, Beach said. They host rival Michigan on Sept. 21.

“I’d say it helps a lot,” Beach said of the bye. “We get more time to study what’s going to happen, more time to clean up from the week before.”